The Most Instagrammable Places in Edinburgh

We all love getting Instagram-worthy photos- especially when traveling. If you’re heading to Edinburgh, Scotland, in particular, I’ve got just the guide for you! After spending a week there myself, I fell in love with the Scottish capital and found some incredible photo-ops along the way. Read along to find out the most Instagrammable places in Edinburgh!

1. Princes Street Gardens- Ross Fountain

Let’s start with some of the more obviously Instagrammable places in Edinburgh. Once you get to the city itself, you’ll probably see the incredible view of Edinburgh Castle from Princes Street. You’ll also find yourself right next to the aptly-named Princes Street Gardens. Here  you’ll find beautiful greenery and can take in the sounds of Edinburgh. But my favorite part of the gardens is undoubtedly Ross Fountain. The fountain itself is gorgeous- turquoise and gold and beautiful Victorian imagery. That’s not all though- just above the fountain will be Edinburgh Castle itself. It’s a stunning, majestic view that feels almost unreal. And the pictures? Also unreal.

 

2. The Scott Monument

Just a short walk away from Ross Fountain you’ll find the Scott Monument. This gothic monument to Sir Walter Scott is incredibly impressive- it’s the 2nd tallest monument to a writer in the world. If you want to take some great photos here, I highly recommend going earlier in the morning when there’s less people out and about. Be sure to head to the stairs beneath it for the ultimate shot- then just admire it!

 

3. The Vennel View Point

This Edinburgh staircase holds a special place in my heart- it’s actually where my Fiance proposed to me! It’s no surprise he went with this spot, as this inconspicuous staircase has one of the best views of Edinburgh Castle in the city. Nestled into the side of Grassmarket Square, you can climb these stairs to the top for gorgeous photos of them as well as the Castle. They make for gorgeous, moody photos- and a perfect spot for a surprise proposal 😉

4. Johnnie Walker 1820 Rooftop Bar

This is the one place on this list that unfortunately isn’t free- however, you’d definitely regret it if you didn’t make it to this place at least once on your trip to Edinburgh. The Johnnie Walker 1820 Rooftop bar has an outdoor terrace with a killer view of Edinburgh Castle. You can also take a photo with Johnnie Walker himself- remember to just keep walking! It’s centrally located on Princes Street- you can easily get there via bus, tram, or walking.

Make sure that before or after taking photos here, you grab a nice whiskey cocktail on the inside- they’re to die for! I highly recommend booking a reservation for the bar in advance as it’s very popular! Also, be sure to check out the Johnnie Walker Journey of Flavour Tour downstairs to get a good taste of Scottish whiskey and find your specific flavor profile. You can read more about the tour and the 1820 Rooftop Bar here! 

5. Dean Village

If you’re looking for fairytale vibes, then this spot is perfect for you! This beautiful 19th century village is about a 15-20 minute walk from Princes Street and is home to the most quaint, beautiful cottages that are right out of a storybook. Dean Village is also home to the Scottish National Art Gallery and also the Dean Gallery, if you’re into museums. On your way out of Dean Village, you can also stop by St. Bernard’s Well. It’s a beautiful spring inspired by the Roman Temple of Vesta (and thought to have healing properties!)

6. Victoria Street

If you’ve ever researched a trip to Edinburgh, I just KNOW you’ve stumbled upon Victoria Street and the fact that it possibly served as the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter! This winding, colorful street perfectly captures the fun, magical essence of Edinburgh and makes for eye-catching photos. There’s also plenty to do here and in the surrounding areas; there’s a multitude of shops (Museum Context is an officially licensed Harry Potter store if you are a fan!).Victoria Street  also sits right between Grass Market Square and the Royal Mile- so it’s a convenient stop.

7. Circus Lane

The last on this list of Instagrammable places in Edinburgh certainly isn’t least- it’s actually one of the most underrated- but it’s certainly rising in popularity due to social media. And with good reason! You see, Circus Lane is a beautiful residential street near the Stockbridge area of Edinburgh. Its cobblestone path is gorgeous and lined with residences that were previously used as equestrian stables in the 19th century- make sure you walk to the bend where you can see St. Stephen’s Clock Tower. It’s about a 15 minute walk from Princes Street, but you can easily take buses or taxis here too.

The Most Instagrammable Places in Edinburgh

So, there you have it! My collection of some of the most Instagram-worthy places in Edinburgh (let’s be real here, there’s too many to list as this city is stunning!). Have you been to any of these locations, or do you think there’s any more that should have made the list? If so, let me know in the comments below!

p.s. to see how some more of my Edinburgh photos turned out, follow me on instagram @hannahswoolery.

 

Share: